The Occupy Boulder protesters camped out in front of the Boulder County Courthouse along the Pearl Street Mall have until 4 p.m. Tuesday to pull a use permit with the county, Boulder County officials announced this morning.

Dan Rowland, a county spokesman, said crews were posting signs around the camp this morning notifying the camp's members that they must apply for a permit to use the county property since the occupation has grown to more than 25 people.

County rules require groups of 25 or more to provide a $50 deposit for a use permit. The permit would allow the protest to take place from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Many campers said Wednesday night that they oppose the idea of applying for a permit, but the group would talk about it.

"We have just revived notice that we have till Tuesday to vacate," according to an update on Occupy Boulder's Facebook page. "Time to brain storm ideas!"

Brian "Boston" Reid, who has camped at the site for about a week, said he doesn't believe the group will pull a permit.

"There is nothing in our 1st Amendment that says we need a permit to peacefully assemble," he said. "I know that we will not get a permit."

It's not clear, however, what action, if any, officials would take if the campers do not pull a permit, or if they violate the terms of the permit, which also include requiring the group to provide adequate sanitation and safety at the site.

Boulder police Chief Mark Beckner said today that he plans to meet with county officials next week to discuss the options under various scenarios.

"I don't know what position the county is going to take at this point," Beckner said. "It's kind of a wait and see."

Asked whether it's possible that police would remove the protesters if they fail to pull a permit by Tuesday afternoon, Beckner said he didn't want to speculate.

Noah Eaton, a Boulder County security guard, puts a sign on one of the tents at the Occupy Boulder site informing people that they will need permits to remain outside the courthouse. (CLIFF GRASSMICK / CAMERA)

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